Picked up a new-to-me S&W 3953 on Friday from forum member robrossk. This unit was a special order. It lacks the magazine disconnect safety. This weapon will most likely be my CCW weapon for a long time (if not the rest of my life). My impressions:

Ergonomics: 4 out of 5. I think it would be better if the back strap had a little curvature. Not too big of a deal. It fits my hands comfortably and the trigger reach is near perfect. It would be nice if the grip were just a tad bit thicker. I will probably add Hogue rubber grip panels. Perhaps they will add a little width. Update: added the Hogue rubber grips. Added a little curvature to the back strap. Not slippery like the stock grips. I really wish Hogue made a finger groove grip for these pistols.

Function: 4 out of 5. The slide is a little stiff for me to rack but I don’t think that it has been shot much. So it may loosen up with time. Trigger pull is not too stiff and is consistent. Exactly what I was looking for. No hair trigger, so reduced chance of negligent discharge.

Shootability: 5. Very manageable recoil.

Carryability: 3. It is a bit of a brick. I have a good holster and belt. I realize that a gun is supposed to “be comforting, not comfortable “. Perhaps I need to work on the cant of the holster and it will make a difference as well as carry position. I was carrying at the 3 o’clock position. Might try the 4:30/5 position. UPDATE: 4; moving it to the 4:30 position drastically improves carry comfort.

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otis

I have two regular 3953’s made about a month apart, and a TSW model. One of them came with the Hogue grips and they fit fine. I bought another set of Hogue’s and there was a noticeable gap.

Absolutely one of the BEST pistols ever, for CCW. AS far as a holster goes, I carried my Sigma in a Milt Sparks Versa-Max II for a long time…I also found this holster to work very well (note that I did not say perfect) with a 1006, a 1086, a 3913, a 3953, a 5946…

Sam

I put a set of Hogue grips on my 3953 totally changes the feel of the gun. An excellent carry gun. The holster is an Alessi purchased here on the Forum.

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One of my 3953s, N.P.D. 188, has been my EDC since March 2018 when I bought it from a Forum member.

They like the 124gr. cartridges better than the 115gr. at the range. I use 147gr for carry duty.

I hope you enjoy your 3953 as much as I've enjoyed mine.

I have an early 3953, a 3954 and non-rail 3953 TSW as well as a 3913NL.

The TSW is my favorite.

Sent from my 6165S using Tapatalk

I was wondering what grain ammo the 3953 prefers. I was debating between 124 gr, 135 gr, and 147 gr. Thanks for posting!

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otis

With the exception of my 5906, all of my 3rd Gens prefer 124 or147 over 115.

They shoot significantly low with 115gr. They shoot pretty close to Point of Aim with 124, and if I do my part spot on with 147.

Newer guns such as my Mossberg MC1sc shoot any of the three weights without issue.

I carry 147gr in my pre rail 3913TSW and 124gr in my CS9.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Great choice, Otis. I too carry my 3953 a bunch. Great gun, except it sort of puts the kibosh on even thinking about acquiring any of the plastic, fantastic micro minis everyone is crazy about. How much better can a carry gun get? (And yeah, I know, 15 rounds in the mag and all that. Where I live, I think 8 or so is more than enough.

And thanks to the hints about the Hogue grips, I may give them a tryout.

I've done a lot of trading over the years. You pick up a gun at the gun store and think "This feels great!". Invariably, you get home and have a chance to really get familiar with a firearm and discover the things you don't like or think of questions that you didn't ask. I loved my Kahr K9, but takedown was a PITA. My Glock 43X, trigger finger would drag inside the trigger guard. My CZ 75D that I just purchased, narrow slide and trigger reach is just a tad long for me.

I believe that my 3953 is the end of the line for CCW for me. I plan on having this one for a very long time. At some point, I may add a different pocket pistol for church carry. Leaning towards a Kahr MK9.

The sad thing is that we bemoan the younger generation because they like the tupperware firearms. The fact of the matter is, we old geezers are hoarding the older metal S&W pistols. They rarely show up in gun shops. How is the younger generation supposed to have an opportunity to handle and build an affinity for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen pistols? They can't.

Hopefully the grips and holster will be in this week or early next. Can't wait to see how this carries and how it feels with the new grips. One video I watched stated that the Hogue grips add about 1/8th inch to the width.

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otis

I guess someday there's gonna be a glut of metal Smiths on the market when my kids decide they don't really want all mine.
But even on Gunbroken today you can still find plenty of them and some at a good price -- the 410 I just got was only $275 on auction, plus the cost of a missing mag release button and spring (and of course FFL fee and shipping, but still, at what I think is a good price).
But all the hype and gun rag attention is focused on the new stuff, as that's who's advertising in those magazines.
I'll just keep looking for the old school steel and let my kids worry about them, someday.

Oh boy. Another reminder of how badly I messed up not buying a 3953 from CDNN at $300 some years ago.

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Release the Kraken

To get a little more grip thickness and an arched backstrap..... check out Hogue's grips... been using them for 30+ years. Even sent a set of smooth wood grips back to Hogue to be checkered!

Best of the options IMHO are the checkered wood grips; a bit pricier than the rubber but checkering gives a good grip and wood doesn't drag on clothing...... arch to the backstrap is like the 69xx guns.

I may try those out at a later date. Thanks for sharing. Care to share a picture of yours?

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otis

New Hogue grips arrived. They add just the right amount of width to the grips as well as a slight amount of curvature to the back strap. Clinger Holster arrived today as well. I’m set to declare this the perfect concealed carry package (for me).

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otis

My first grips were the factory which were a disappointment vs the Model 39 grips I had ...got the rubber for about $20-25 better... so bought a set of Hogue smooth wood grips good but slick ..... so went to checkered wood...... later sent the first set back to be checkered (about $20 in the 90s) to put on my new 3913NL!!!!

Anyway great package .... you will be happy!!!!

Do you plan on having the night sights re-lamped by Trijicon?

I will have to look into that. They definitely need it!

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otis

Hey Otis, I holster mine in a Galco FL244 (the Fletch) in tan which Fits my CS9, 3919LS and I think my 69 series also (not sure, and too lazy to check haha). Fits great looks great !! At my LGS it was new but not in a box, but in a holster bin. The guy sold it to me for $5.00 (FIBUX!!) Also got a nice Strong black leather thumb break holster for my Model 60-15 PC .357 revolver for $5.00, and also Found out Strong leather is here in Mass...pretty cool.

$57. Definitely worth it! I’ve sent at least 6 3rd Gen slides to them in the past few years for relamping. I consider dead Trijicon sights to be a plus jn a used gun I’m looking at. Costs so little to have them replaced.

What is the cost? Do you just send in the slide or remove the sights and send them in?

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otis

Get an RA number here - Returns & Repairs | Trijicon(R)
After sending them the slide on your dime, they take care of everything for $57 ($19 per lamp).

Can I ship the slide, sans barrel and guide rod, through USPS?

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otis

Yes. You can ship anything except the receiver/frame via USPS. I did Priority Mail in the small box. I don't know what the current price is, but it's worth it to ship that way.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Here is what I call my 3953LS (Long Slide), a 5946 slide on a 3953 lower.

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Nice pistol, sounds like it will serve well as a ccw.

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Shiny, lets be bad guys!

I've gotten an RGA number and plan on sending in the slide this week. Turn around time is 4-6 weeks.

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otis

Just wanted to follow up, sent my 3954 slide in the day after I read this, and just got it back. 3 new night sights for $57 + shipping one way. Cannot believe what a good deal this is. Bravo, thanks for sharing the info!

That's good news!
I may have to consider relamping a couple.

I picked up a 3953 years ago for CCW.
Having been raised on the TDA/SA 39/59 series the 3953 short pre cock DAO takes some getting used to.
the da trigger is much easier but not happy there is no double snap .

I think mine will be traded for a 3913 eventually to keep the same MOA.